Shopped for Hood Struts, 400i
Parts manual (ed 3 feb 84) states 253.28.550.00
so far so good
Dennis McAnn (ferraripartsource) quotes $160
notes number superseded by 50014604
but NOT in stock must come from europe
Geoff at Partsouce quotes $220 each
(not aware of part number change)
does not have in stock, must come from europe
(hmmm...I see a trend developing here)
Clinton @ Ferrari UK quotes L43.20 ea ($67.39 ea)
also says 50014604 will work
OK, I'll take em!
(took longer for me to get them from the !@#$% USPS
then it did for them to get from England to the Post Office)
opened em up
hmmm...
Mounts are TABS not TUBES (like originals)
still might work tho
with spacers, etc
(left work early, went to shop)
Compared to orignals
replacement struts are slightly SHORTER
still might work though
BUT
holes in strut are TOO SMALL
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
The holes could be enlarged
and I could use spacers, etc -
I can get them to FIT
but will they WORK?
(I do not want to enlarge holes
unless I know they are going to work
as I might want to return them)
Any one out there in 400 land
tried to replace the Hood Struts lately
(simon are you out there)????
are these the right ones;
should I make them fit
or send em back?
400i Hood Struts
I'm here :-)
I have the part number s 253.28.550.00 also, and I was quoted £87 each or approx $130. I wasn't offered any alternative part numbers but searching the parts manuals on the owners site shows:
Part selected: 253-28-550-00
(this part supersedes other parts)
Full description: BONNET PROP ALT 50014604
Unit Price: £90.30 (GBP)
This part supersedes: 95408044, 95408115
So you can see that Ferrari think the part you have will fit.
I have two questions. Does it have a 'release button' like a 308 front hood support (if so it is wrong). Is the extended length of the two items the same (because I imagine that this is critical). Why not just fit it with some smaller screws so you don't need to enlarge the hole and see if it works (but you will need to fit both). If it does then you can enlarge the holes and pack out the fittings with washers.
I must say they were cheap at £43.20 each (see the quoted price above).
Do let me know how you get on, I might even get some myself. Finally do they have the white writing on them?
Simon
I have the part number s 253.28.550.00 also, and I was quoted £87 each or approx $130. I wasn't offered any alternative part numbers but searching the parts manuals on the owners site shows:
Part selected: 253-28-550-00
(this part supersedes other parts)
Full description: BONNET PROP ALT 50014604
Unit Price: £90.30 (GBP)
This part supersedes: 95408044, 95408115
So you can see that Ferrari think the part you have will fit.
I have two questions. Does it have a 'release button' like a 308 front hood support (if so it is wrong). Is the extended length of the two items the same (because I imagine that this is critical). Why not just fit it with some smaller screws so you don't need to enlarge the hole and see if it works (but you will need to fit both). If it does then you can enlarge the holes and pack out the fittings with washers.
I must say they were cheap at £43.20 each (see the quoted price above).
Do let me know how you get on, I might even get some myself. Finally do they have the white writing on them?
Simon
400i struts
dear simon:
thanks for the reply!
my reseach shows same strut 'should' work for
365 series (including GTC/4) and 512 Boxer
all would seem to have a rather heavy 'bonnet'
so a common strut may make sense
the struts appear the same
(black w/white lettering)
with the exception of the mounting scheme as discussed
and the OD of the 'piston'
(and the shaft, too, I think)
is slightly smaller
the difference in length is minimal: 1 - 1.5 cm
which may diminsh the overall opening angle slightly
(but I can live with that if the struts work OK)
the critical factor is the gas pressure
(and the commensurate weight it can support)
as long as the stuts can support the weight adequately
they can be modifed to fit with minimal effort
yes, I do plan to 'test fit' with smaller bolts
(before I modify them)
as this is a non-critcal feature
and car is a 'driver'
a part that works
(but may not be 'concours correct')
will be acceptable to me
I will let you know the results
I can highly advocate Ferrari UK 'stores' BTW
GREAT service
thanks for the reply!
my reseach shows same strut 'should' work for
365 series (including GTC/4) and 512 Boxer
all would seem to have a rather heavy 'bonnet'
so a common strut may make sense
the struts appear the same
(black w/white lettering)
with the exception of the mounting scheme as discussed
and the OD of the 'piston'
(and the shaft, too, I think)
is slightly smaller
the difference in length is minimal: 1 - 1.5 cm
which may diminsh the overall opening angle slightly
(but I can live with that if the struts work OK)
the critical factor is the gas pressure
(and the commensurate weight it can support)
as long as the stuts can support the weight adequately
they can be modifed to fit with minimal effort
yes, I do plan to 'test fit' with smaller bolts
(before I modify them)
as this is a non-critcal feature
and car is a 'driver'
a part that works
(but may not be 'concours correct')
will be acceptable to me
I will let you know the results
I can highly advocate Ferrari UK 'stores' BTW
GREAT service
-
Dr. Ian Levy
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2002 1:16 pm
- Location: United Kingdom
- Contact:
400i hood struts
Hello
For a 365 GTC4 the part number 253 28 550 00 is correct.
They cost £89.30 back in Sept 1998 & were the exact correct fitting for my car. They will certainly support the weight as the bonnet on my 365 GTC4 is quite a size & weight
Regards
Ian Levy
UK
For a 365 GTC4 the part number 253 28 550 00 is correct.
They cost £89.30 back in Sept 1998 & were the exact correct fitting for my car. They will certainly support the weight as the bonnet on my 365 GTC4 is quite a size & weight
Regards
Ian Levy
UK
so far so good
I got to work on the hood struts today (finally)
however briefly
I trial fitted the struts with 5/16 bolts
(and a handful of washers)
looks like they are going to fit
they seem to hold up the hood fine
(great, in fact)
the only issue being that the extended length
is slightly shorter on the replacemets
versus the original ones
the only problem that i can see with this
is that the hood will not open quite as far
but this seems to be problem that I can live with
(the opening still seems plenty big enough)
I now need to have the holes in the replacement struts
enlarged to the correct diameter
the pins appear to be 10mm
and the holes in the original struts are not much bigger
10.1mm 10.5 max
(they appear to have taken the brunt of the wear)
I think I will go with .395"
(or the next larger decimal equivalent)
as I think a 10mm hole might be slighlty too small
I will have to ask the machinist...
however briefly
I trial fitted the struts with 5/16 bolts
(and a handful of washers)
looks like they are going to fit
they seem to hold up the hood fine
(great, in fact)
the only issue being that the extended length
is slightly shorter on the replacemets
versus the original ones
the only problem that i can see with this
is that the hood will not open quite as far
but this seems to be problem that I can live with
(the opening still seems plenty big enough)
I now need to have the holes in the replacement struts
enlarged to the correct diameter
the pins appear to be 10mm
and the holes in the original struts are not much bigger
10.1mm 10.5 max
(they appear to have taken the brunt of the wear)
I think I will go with .395"
(or the next larger decimal equivalent)
as I think a 10mm hole might be slighlty too small
I will have to ask the machinist...
progess has been made
Pins securing Strut to Mounts are 10mm in dia = .393”
Holes in original Struts are approx 10.05mm in dia = .395”
Holes in Struts 50014604 are 8mm in dia --> DRILL EM
Closest metric Drill Bit available is 10.2mm = .402” (too big)
Closest SAE Drill Bit Letter X = .397" = 10.08mm (looks good)
(below) Original Strut, TOP, Replacement Strut (bored to .397”) BOTTOM
Next Challenge:
Original Struts have TUBES
Replacement Struts have TABS
Washers will be required as spacers
the closest Metric Washers I could find have 10.5 mm ID holes (too big)
Mcmaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com has Stainless Steel 'Mil Spec' Washers
.406 ID = 10.31 mm
stock # 98019A399 Qty 50 $ 6.84
VASTLY superior to ‘Hardware Store’ grade Washers IMHO
Struts as installed on Bottom Strut Mount
(below) Original Strut on L, Replacement Strut on R with (9) Washers
Next Challenge:
Washers are too big OD to fit between the Upper Hood Strut Mounting Bracket and the Mounting Pin.
(hole is too close to bracket to allow for Washers)
Modifications are in order
A flat for clearance must be ground in each Washer
finished dimension of approx .76" looks good (.7625" max)
Replacement Strut with 10 modified Washers installed in Upper Location
NOTE: application of Anti-Seize Lubricant (reddish stuff)
Comparison of Original Strut free length (BOTTOM) with Replacement Strut (TOP) below
Replacement Strut as installed on LH Side (below)
NOTE maximum Hood opening angle diminished slightly, but not to an objectionable degree
The Hood can now actually support it’s own weight (even with only one Replacement Strut). This is a marked improvement over Originals, as it took many tries to get the hood to stay up, and the weight of a butterfly landing on the open Hood would be enough to cause it to slam shut. Hood can even support itself in the partially open position (below)
NOTE: Tom should be posting some pics for us shortly
Holes in original Struts are approx 10.05mm in dia = .395”
Holes in Struts 50014604 are 8mm in dia --> DRILL EM
Closest metric Drill Bit available is 10.2mm = .402” (too big)
Closest SAE Drill Bit Letter X = .397" = 10.08mm (looks good)
(below) Original Strut, TOP, Replacement Strut (bored to .397”) BOTTOM
Next Challenge:
Original Struts have TUBES
Replacement Struts have TABS
Washers will be required as spacers
the closest Metric Washers I could find have 10.5 mm ID holes (too big)
Mcmaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com has Stainless Steel 'Mil Spec' Washers
.406 ID = 10.31 mm
stock # 98019A399 Qty 50 $ 6.84
VASTLY superior to ‘Hardware Store’ grade Washers IMHO
Struts as installed on Bottom Strut Mount
(below) Original Strut on L, Replacement Strut on R with (9) Washers
Next Challenge:
Washers are too big OD to fit between the Upper Hood Strut Mounting Bracket and the Mounting Pin.
(hole is too close to bracket to allow for Washers)
Modifications are in order
A flat for clearance must be ground in each Washer
finished dimension of approx .76" looks good (.7625" max)
Replacement Strut with 10 modified Washers installed in Upper Location
NOTE: application of Anti-Seize Lubricant (reddish stuff)
Comparison of Original Strut free length (BOTTOM) with Replacement Strut (TOP) below
Replacement Strut as installed on LH Side (below)
NOTE maximum Hood opening angle diminished slightly, but not to an objectionable degree
The Hood can now actually support it’s own weight (even with only one Replacement Strut). This is a marked improvement over Originals, as it took many tries to get the hood to stay up, and the weight of a butterfly landing on the open Hood would be enough to cause it to slam shut. Hood can even support itself in the partially open position (below)
NOTE: Tom should be posting some pics for us shortly
struts are IN
got both struts in FINALLY
seems like the second strut
has a higer activation force
than the first one
(did not verify)
the hood stays up great...
but now it is hard to CLOSE
makes it diffucult to close and latch
without getting greasy fingerprints
all over the hood
maybe the struts will get easier (softer)
with time and useage
we shall see
all in all
given the difficulty of this install
and the results
I am NOT impressed
seems like the second strut
has a higer activation force
than the first one
(did not verify)
the hood stays up great...
but now it is hard to CLOSE
makes it diffucult to close and latch
without getting greasy fingerprints
all over the hood
maybe the struts will get easier (softer)
with time and useage
we shall see
all in all
given the difficulty of this install
and the results
I am NOT impressed